FAQ about Lil’ Strikers

What should my child wear to class?

Participants should wear comfortable clothes and athletic shoes (no outdoor cleats). Shinguards are not needed until Micro classes. Lil’ Strikers jersey and shorts are given to first-time customers for free, and can thereafter be purchased at a low cost. Outfitting your child in Lil’ Strikers garb is a fun way to make your child feel part of a team.  Kids naturally appreciate looking like older uniformed kids and role models.  

How long are classes?

Each of our classes lasts 50 minutes with a water break halfway through.  Between classes, there is a 10-minute break.

How long are your sessions?

We offer four sessions a year (fall, winter, spring, summer) that break down into approximately 10-13 week cycles.

Can I drop my child off for class?

No, classes are 50 minutes and require a parent or guardian to be on-site at all times.

Can I join a class in the middle of a session?

Yes! We offer open enrollment so that you can join anytime and have your class fees prorated. This means that you pay only for the remaining class and not the full session fee.

Can I get a Lil’ Strikers discount for both of my children?

Yes! We offer a sibling discount of $20.00 for each additional child registered as long as the children are registered at the same time.

What if I can’t make it to one of my classes?

We understand life can get busy and you might have to miss a class. You are able to make up any class that you have missed in the same class type.  Make-up classes are based on availability and must be made within the current session. We will do our very best to accommodate your requests. If you have multiple children, please schedule a make-up class for each child individually. Please email: mzaikos@markhamsportsdome.com to schedule a make-up class!

Can we come on any day?

No, in order to maintain class ratios and consistency within the program, we schedule children for specific times and days. When registering, be sure to first determine which day best suits your schedule. Of course, there may be an occasion when a make-up class is needed. In that situation, you can schedule a make-up class for any day in which class space is available. If your schedule changes during the session and you need to switch days, we will try to accommodate your needs to the best of our ability. However, changes cannot be guaranteed and are based on space availability.

What are the child-to-coach ratios for each class?

Ratios vary depending on several factors including the mobility of the children in the class, whether parents are participating in the class, and the level of technical instruction required.

If my child is struggling in class without parents on the field, such as a Hoppers or Jackrabbits class, is it okay for me to be on the field to help my child?

In this situation, we normally suggest placing the child in a Cottontails class. Cottontails classes are methodically structured and specifically designed to  promote independence. We have found that these classes provide a successful, long-term solution to separation issues.

Why doesn’t my child play more soccer in the program?

While many soccer programs are busy using traditional soccer skill drills to drive home the fundamentals of soccer, we approach coaching from a child-centered perspective. Because of this perspective, our main goal is to make learning fun for kids. We do this by putting instruction into a context that children understand, using special techniques designed around how kids naturally learn. Lil’ Strikers teaches your child the fundamentals of soccer but focuses on developing the whole child. Our program helps build social, emotional, and cognitive skills that result in our Lil Strikers becoming well-balanced and conscientious individuals on and off the soccer field.

What is your policy for allowing children with special needs into your program? 

Children with special needs are welcomed in our program as long as we are equipped to assist them accordingly. Please contact your our Lil’ Strikers Coordinator for more information.

Policies

MAKE-UP CLASSES:

• Make-ups are done on a space-available basis.
• Make-ups do not carry over into the next session.

JERSEY/SHORTS:

• Jersey & Shorts are included with registration for new participants
• If you would like to purchase a jersey, they are an additional fee

TRIAL CLASSES:

• Free trial classes are offered only if space is available in the class.